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University of Denver hockey coach leaving for Dallas Stars job

Posted on Thursday, May 03, 2018 by Rhonda Young

Breaking down Dallas Stars coaching candidates Sheldon Keefe

The Pioneers won their eighth national championship in 2017, after which Montgomery was a finalist for the Florida Panthers' head coaching job before withdrawing his name. Montgomery will replace the retiring Ken Hitchcock, who is shifting to a consulting role with Dallas. Multiple reports have the University of Denver coach accepting the head coaching job of the Dallas Stars. He's the first coach to make the direct leap from the college level to the top of the pro game since the Philadelphia Flyers hired Dave Hakstol in May 2015.

As a player, Montgomery led ME to a national title in 1993 before embarking on a 12-year pro career that included stops in an assortment of leagues, including parts of six seasons in the NHL.

Dallas was 42-32-8 in the only season of Hitchcock's second stint with the Stars, and finished three points behind the Colorado Avalanche for the second wild card from the Western Conference.

Montgomery has been the Pioneers coach for five years. The Post reports he was also offered an assitant coach role by the Los Angeles Kings previous year, but turned it down. He previously coached them from 1995-2002.

Montgomery has had success everywhere he has coached.

As a coach, Montgomery also served as an assistant at Notre Dame, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Dubuque of the USHL. He's also not afraid to trust his young players.

Montgomery should help the Stars build something special. Hitchcock is one of the best head coaches of all-time. Over a professional playing career that spanned from 1993 to 2005, Montgomery saw 122 games of National Hockey League action, as well as another 451 in the AHL.

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